Thermo King has announced new initiatives to support the adoption of its AxlePower energy recovery system across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The company introduced a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator, a flexible long-term rental programme, and pan-European homologation to help fleet operators transition to electrified refrigerated transport.
AxlePower is designed to enable self-charging electric trailer refrigeration by harvesting kinetic energy during braking or downhill driving. The recovered energy is stored in batteries and used to power the refrigeration unit, eliminating the need for connection to external power sources. The system operates independently of the tractor and includes smart power management that optimizes energy recovery and usage.
The TCO calculator allows fleet managers to evaluate cost savings, CO2 reduction potential, and payback periods when comparing AxlePower to engine-powered systems. The rental programme offers access to pre-installed AxlePower trailers under 12-month minimum contracts, including full maintenance, performance monitoring, and an option to extend or return the equipment.
Thermo King confirmed the system now has pan-European homologation, ensuring regulatory compliance across key markets. This facilitates broader integration of the technology in existing fleets.
“Our customers across EMEA can now proactively evaluate the features and performance based on their individual operations, and thanks to the long-term rental opportunities, have a hands-on experience before committing to full-scale implementation,” said Wouter Roels, aftermarket and digital services leader for Thermo King EMEA.
According to Thermo King, AxlePower-equipped trailers can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 12 tonnes per year and have already logged over 1 million kilometers and 13,500 hours of electric cooling in Sweden, the Netherlands, and South Africa.